14:40 Chester

Saturday 15 June 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Whitley Neill Handcraft Gin Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 2m 45.69s

(3)

Waldstern²⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K T O'Neill| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 98

9/2

400,000 son Sea The Stars who returns following gelding operation this winter. Looked a stayer in the making last term, ending with fair fourth in listed event to subsequent Group 3 Chester Vase runner-up Norway. Handicap bow here.

Form: 124-

(5)

Lariat²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: A M Balding| OR: 88

5/2

Represents last year's winning trainer. Has gone up 6lb for three second places so far this campaign and is probably handicapped to the hilt. Won mile soft ground novice stakes last term so ground should be no problem.

Form: 313-222

(4)

Prefontaine^p1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 87

11/2

Landed 1m2f Nottingham nursery handicap last term and failed by just a neck off 7lb higher mark in 1m6f handicap at Sandown last time. Drop back in trip makes sense, should handle the ground, raised a further 2lb and wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 03216-2

(8)

Durston¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Nicola Currie| T: D M Simcock| OR: 82

4/1

Form of second to Surfman in Nottingham maiden looks good with winner having finished third in Group 2 Dante Stakes. Ran on well close home to land Doncaster 1m6f handicap and shorter trip here looks about right. Feasibly handicapped off 3lb higher.

Form: 32-41

(7)

Fearless Warrior²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Josephine Gordon| T: R M Beckett| OR: 82

9/1

Rather disappointing in four-runner contest at Leicester last time having shaped well previously on seasonal bow. Won over 1m2f as juvenile so stamina shouldn't be an issue, but has to put behind him that recent poor effort.

Form: 3312-33

(6)

Gabrial The One²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81| CD

11/2

Generally consistent gelding who won in fair fashion over C&D last time off 4lb lower mark having missed the break on previous visit here. Another solid run looks on the cards.

Form: 231-351

(1)

Lola's Theme⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 78

14/1

Won twice over a mile in soft ground last year. After fair return run seemed to get stuck in heavy ground at Haydock on first try at 10f. Steps up again in trip and has to prove her stamina in what could again prove testing conditions.

Form: 1218-54

Non-Runners

(2)

Gravistas⁷

Weight: 8-7| Age: 3

T: C & M Johnston J: F Norton

Forecasts

Lariat (5/2), Gravistas (3/1), Durston (4/1), Waldstern (9/2), Prefontaine (11/2), Gabrial The One (11/2), Fearless Warrior (9/1), Lola's Theme (14/1)

Decent prize money and a good field assembled for a fascinating middle-distance handicap. DURSTON is going the right way and may well improve again for the drop back from 1m6f having been running on fumes when scoring at Doncaster last time. His juvenile form reads well in the context of this race. There are a host of dangers representing top yards. Gravistas gained reward for consistency last time and will again be thereabouts, while Gabrial The One, Lariat and Prefontaine should also be on the premises. Top weight Waldstern returns after being gelded and will have to be spot on to beat these on his first run for 245 days.